Tired of Old School and of New Old School style custom motorcycles? If it’s possible to classify it, should I place SpaceSter in a new category to be called “Tomorrow’s School?” First, let me say that this “from another planet” creation is born in the Southwest of France and during the winter European show tour already won a flight to Sturgis to compete in the 2011 AMD World Championship Of Bike Building.
Custom builder Buck (a.k.a. Bernard Massart) from a shop called VTM (V-Twin Mechanic) is unable to sketch, doesn’t know how to draw with a computer, but must have a CAD program buried in his brain. Is there another way to explain such perfection in aerodynamics? Would be curious to know the results of a wind tunnel study of SpaceSter versus a stock Harley Sportster. Yes, this machine where everything flows perfectly with absolutely nothing sticking out, is or was a Sportster. And the first reason why it’s quite difficult to find out its pedigree is because the engine is wrapped in a cover mimicking the Harley engine fins, making it look like one solid block motor. Exhaust looks like it belong to the engine and disappears in a custom under-frame cache where the 2 pipes join with a discreet exit on the bottom left of the bike.
What looks like an oil tank with fins matching perfectly those of the engine, gives access to the battery and electricals. So, where is the oil circulating? In the top right an left members of the custom tubular frame with no oil lines fittings to be seen. To add to the confusion, the front oil filter and bracket have been removed. A louvered chin ensures that engine receive enough cooling air. Identity of SpaceSter front end is also difficult to detect, most of the tubes disappearing under covers. Suspension comes front a set of Yamaha R1 inverted forks. No master cylinders on the bars. They have been relocated inside the body, Front brake and hydraulic clutch are actioned by small levers on the bars. Body work is as fluid as it can be, from front to rear where the frenched taillight and the license tag look like they are belonging to the fender. The best custom Sportster I have seen in a very, very long time. It’s Buck second ptoject in the style “Tomorrow School”, (he calls his approah “Bio Design”), the first one being born in 1996 and called Aquamarine. Will this style stick and inspire other builders? I let you judge. See it in August 2011 in Sturgis where it’s already a favorite. VTM V-Twin Mechanic. (photography copyright and courtesy G. Dujardin)
nice bike, nice work and very cool builder !
Buck of VTM france … the best french builder for me 😉
This thing looks like it’s straight outta the movie “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.” The only thing lacking is a srprung rear seat or suspension (I have a bad back.) Otherwise, magnificant!
Now, it’s what a custom should be. Unique style, great design and fabrication and I am pretty sure rideable. These French are very good. Hey, Cyril! (wink)
Not my style I love the old bikes BUT some of the most beautiful work I have ever seen
Great custom piece. Something different and innovative. Is it possible that tomorrow’s Harley Sportsters look somewhat like this? Harley may copy this design…or at least get inspired.
Smoooooooooooooooooooth! Very cool bike, I can’t begin to imagine the hours that went into it, both planning AND building.
Well done! Buck is crazy and i like this!!
can’t wait to see the feedback on the next AMD Sturgis!!
Good luck Buck!
Helleva job, great piece.
When u thought u had seen enough of same old custom bikes,some crazy guy come out with sick design.
Never a fan of sportster but this good.
Love the design and detail.
I wonder what the sticker is on that…I’d donate a sporty if I could get that back.
Inspired by the Victory “CORE” concept motorcycle? Uncanny design similarities …
That is freakin’ AWESOME!!
outstanding ! Doc , please explain the “similarities” , I don’t see anything that looks the same .
very cool.
While I admire the work and imagination that went into it , I do not find it to be something I would personally care to own myself. But different is always good.
Slick indeed. I would like to see a pic from behind.
I’m sure like most cool bikes, these pics do it no justice.
My favorite part is the number on his sign. Then again I’m bias 🙂
This is beautiful. Something different and innovative.
love it would like to take it around the block once
saw this bike in the flesh at punta bagna in the alps when we took one of our bikes there for the show, everything is hidden, it looks like it was cut out of a solid block of granite and then colour was added, this bike is truly a work of art and very much deserved the win, it is on another planet without a doubt.
Very cool indeed. I just bought a semi truck load of vintage parts and in with the deal was a Buck Rogers sidecar. Would go nice with this bike.
Way Cool!!
Man, give it to the europeans. I have always dug their stuff, from Kodlin to Krueger, now Buck. So cool to see stuff out of the mold.
Nice wall art.
I admire the innovation and design, great piece of work. But it is not a motorcycle style I would care to own. It would be fun trying to find where parts are hidden, and how they did the routing of the lines and electrical.
I’d like to take er for a spin!
Went to his site, and started looking close at images for this machine.
Where is the shifter? or rear bake lever? are shifts done with a left hand twist on hand grip?
I looked real close at the floor boards/ foot rests and can not see any of the above, and there is a shot of him riding it!
I say way cool! more please!
laurence
looks like a buell to me
and one more time , Ladies and Gentlemen :
THIS is the French , Innovative and Unique Styling from Buck 🙂 , V.T.M , at Auch !!!
he sent me some pics of the project , when it was under construction :
Man ! i felt TIRED just lookin’at my screen !
Thumbs up , Buck !
your way to work is “Art On Wheels” !!!
WOW and double wow. I would love a chance to see this thing in person, feel the surfaces and try to understand how he did it. What materials did he use?
Great job! Creativity is where its at.
Steel.
niiiiiiice! peace
Amazing work, difrent look, innovative, etc.. congrats.
laurence zankowski -I am French and i found a newspaper article about this custom in the VTM site.
Where is the shifter? or rear bake lever? They are integrated on the pegs by pivoting around the peg axes.
Hey brethren , I got a headache just thinking about how much time and sheer brainpower had to have gone into this beautiful, engineering masterpiece. Anyone with even an inkling of awareness of what it takes to plan , design and the construct something this innovative and radical, has to be in awe . Da Vinci would be proud. Once again a tremendous example of a designer who is pushing the envelope of the art form that is the custom motorcycle. When you can’t buttonhole it or classify it , you have accomplished something pretty special. Buck , we are not worthy. beyond-the-norma-glide.
really good job dude. Owesome…!!!
Great bike. Enjoyed the story